SURRY COUNTY—The chief of the Nottoway Tribe, Lynette Lewis Allston remarked, “It has been a beautiful weekend and we have had people from around the world to dance with us at our powwow and we are just purely honored.”

Serving as the master of ceremonies for the event was John “Blackfeather” Jefferies of the Occaneechi Saponi Nation. Serving on the drums were members of the Yough-Ta-Nund and Na-Ma-Wo-Chi tribes.

Both days of the annual Powwow was officially opened by the honor guard leading a processional of tribe members all wearing their regalia into the sacred circle. During this opening ceremony, all veterans were invited to enter the circle for special blessings. Also during the opening ceremonies remarks were given by Chief Allston and by the Assistant Chief Archie Elliott.

The Powwow is the American Indian gathering that brings together people from many tribes in a spirit of peace, joy and respect. During the PowWow a series of dances are presented that offer ceremonious prayer and expression of honor and reverence to the ancestors, each other, the Creator and everything that the Creator has given for love and appreciation.

The Powwow further featured various intertribal dancing, vendors of various Indian crafts, demonstrations and storytelling. A special area was set up for children, which featured educational and other youth activities.